Pancake eating and shows of strength bid farewell to winter in Russia, Belarus

This looks like a fun and wacky festival. I just hope the fella having the block broken on his belly didn't eat the pancakes beforehand.

Eduard Korniyenko / Reuters

Chefs prepare a two-meter pancake as part of Maslenitsa celebrations in a city park in Stavropol, March 6. Every spring across Russia, Maslenitsa is celebrated with pancake eating and shows of strength as Russians bid farewell to winter.

Denis Sinyakov / Reuters

Spectators and participants cheer after the storming of a snow fortress at the Maslenitsa celebration near the village of Podvyaznovo, Russia.

Yuri Maltsev / Reuters

A contestant climbs up a pole to reach a prize during Maslenitsa celebrations in front of a new bridge under construction in Vladivostok, March 6.

Vladimir Nikolsky / Reuters

A Belarussian interior ministry soldier has a masonry block on his chest smashed by a flaming hammer as part of Maslenitsa celebrations in Minsk, March 6.

Misha Japaridze / AP

A young couple kisses during celebrations of Maslenitsa, or Pancake Week on Red Square in Moscow, Russia, March 6, with St. Basil Cathedral in the background. Maslenitsa is traditional Russian holiday marking the end of winter that dates back to the pagan times.

Dmitry Lovetsky / AP

People watch as an effigy of Lady Maslenitsa burns during celebrations of Maslenitsa, or Pancake Week in St.Petersburg, Russia, March 6.